VW Amarok becomes first European recall in diesel emissions scandal
Volkswagen has received approval to begin recalling Amarok pickups across Europe as the first step in its plan to address 8.5 million affected diesel vehicles.
Volkswagen has received final approval from Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to begin recalling Amarok pickups across Europe, the first step in its plan to address the diesel emissions scandal affecting 8.5 million vehicles on the continent. The recall applies to Amarok models equipped with the 2.0-litre EA189 diesel engine, which was found to have been fitted with software designed to manipulate emissions test results.
The KBA’s approval covers all 28 European Union member states, allowing Volkswagen to start notifying Amarok owners and scheduling appointments for the fix. According to the regulator, the technical solution for the Amarok involves a software update only, with no additional hardware changes required. Volkswagen has stated that the procedure will take less than half an hour per vehicle.
Scope of the recall and next steps
The Amarok is the first of Volkswagen’s affected models to receive approval for a recall fix in Europe. The company’s proposal for other models, including the Passat with the same 2.0-litre TDI engine, remains under review by the KBA. Volkswagen expects recalls for these vehicles to follow, with the Passat likely next in line by late February or early March, pending regulatory clearance.
Volkswagen has emphasised that the software update will not impact engine power or performance for Amarok owners. For other affected engines in the EA189 family, the fix varies: 1.2-litre and 2.0-litre engines receive only a software update, while 1.6-litre units also require a new flow rectifier to be fitted in front of the air mass sensor. Labour time for all updates is expected to remain below half an hour.
Regulatory and legal context
Volkswagen accepted the KBA’s recall order without appeal, making the decision binding throughout the EU. The company maintains that it does not agree with all aspects of the legal interpretation but chose to comply with the regulator’s requirements rather than contest the decision. The emissions scandal, which came to light in 2015, has led to investigations and recalls across multiple markets, with European authorities now moving ahead with large-scale corrective actions.
Owners of affected Amarok pickups will be contacted directly by Volkswagen to arrange the software update at authorised service centres. The company continues to work with regulators on solutions for other models and engine variants. For further background on the scale of emissions-related recalls in Germany, see German Carmakers to Recall 630,000 Diesels Over Emissions Software.
